Lock span shelving

ABSTRACT

A storage rack assembly including a post of sheet metal or the like having at least one supporting wall with a front face and a back face. A plurality of slots are formed in the supporting wall and are spaced from each other along the length of the post. A beam of sheet metal or the like has a web portion with a front face and a pair of load carrying tabs struck from the front face and spaced from each other in a direction transverse to the length of the beam. Each of the load carrying tabs are received in one of the slots in the post such that the beam extends transversely of the post. A projection is struck from the front face of the beam and engages an edge of the supporting face so that the beam is firmly secured against horizontal movement with respect to the post. An anti-lift tab is provided on the beam to project through one of the slots to firmly secure the beam against vertical movement with respect to the post.

States Mari et a1.

atent [1 1 1 1 Jan. 28, 1975 1 LOCK SPAN SHELVING [731 Assignee: Lear Siegler, Inc., Kalamazoo,

Mich.

221 Filed: June 1, 1973 211 Appl. No.: 365,940

479,278 ll/l969 Switzerland 211/176 Prinmry ExaminerRamon S. Britts Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Reising, Ethington & Perry [57] ABSTRACT A storage rack assembly including a post of sheet metal or the like having at least one supporting wall with a front face and a back face. A plurality of slots are formed in the supporting wall and are spaced from each other along the length of the post. A beam of sheet metal or the like has a web portion with a front face and a pair of load carrying tabs struck from the front face and spaced from each other in a direction transverse to the length of the beam. Each of the load carrying tabs are received in one of the slots in the post such that the beam extends transversely of the post. A projection is struck from the front face of the beam and engages an edge of the supporting face so that the beam is firmly secured against horizontal movement with respect to the post. An anti-lift tab is provided on the beam to project through one of the slots to firmly secure the beam against vertical movement with respect to the. post.

7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEQ JAN 2 8 I975 sum 10F 2 1 LOCK SPAN SHELVING This invention relates generally to storage racks, and is particularly concerned with storage racks of the type that can be assembled together without the use of fasteners such as conventional nuts and bolts.

A problem with some prior art rack constructions of this general type is that of erecting the rack without the use of fasteners, spring clips, and the like, and without the use of special tools or skills. It is also difficult with some prior art constructions to obtain a tight fit of the joints of the rack construction without the use of separate fasteners.

An object of this invention is to provide a rack construction that can be erected from prefabricated parts with simple tools without the use of fasteners and the like for securing the component parts together.

A further object is to provide a rack construction for storing various types of materials on the shelves of the rack, which shelves are vertically adjustable to suit the size of the material to be stored.

A further object is to provide a storage rack construction that does not have protruding screws, hooks and the like.

A further object is'to provide a storage rack construction wherein the parts can be firmly secured together against movement with respect to each other without the use of conventional fasteners.

The foregoing, and other objects, are achieved by the provision of a storage rack assembly according to the present invention wherein the rack includes posts of sheet metal of the like formed with a supporting wall having a plurality of slots spaced from each other along the length of the post. A beam of sheet metal or the like has a web portion with a pair of load carrying tabs struck from the front face of the beam and spaced from each other in a direction transverse to the length of the beam. Each of the load carrying tabs are received in one of the slots in the post such that the beam extends transversely of the post. A projection is struck from the beam and engages an edge of the supporting face of the post to firmly secure the beam against horizontal movement with respect to the post. An antilift tab is formed on the beam and is bendable to project through one of the slots on the post to firmly secure the beam against vertical movement with respect to the post.

Other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a storage rack assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view ofa portion of the storage rack of FIG. 1',

FIG. 3 is an elevational view ofa fragmentary portion of the post and beam prior to the engagement of the post and beam with each other;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of a fragmentary portion of the post and beam after they have been assembled together;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along lines 66 of FIG. 4.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 2 collectively designates v tween posts 10. Beams 6 each have an end interlocked with one of the posts 10 in a manner that is set forth in detail below.

With reference to FIGS. 2-6, each of the posts 10 includes a pair of supporting walls 12 extending at a right angle to each other. Each of the supporting walls 12 has a front face-l4 and a back face 16. A plurality of slots 18 are formed in each. supporting wall 12, the slots being spaced from each other along the length of the post.

Each of the slots. 18 has end walls 20 and side walls 22. The side walls 22 are shaped such that each slot 18 has a width greater at its mid portion than at the end wall 20.

Each of the beams 6 is of sheet metal or like material and has a web portion 23 with a front face 24 and a back face 26. A pair of load carrying tabs 28 is struck from the web 23 and projects from the front face 24. The load carrying tabs 28 are spaced from each other in a direction transverse to the length of the beams 6. As shown in the drawings, when the tabs 28 are each received in oneof the slots 18, the beam extends transversely of the post 10. As shown particularly in FIGS. 4 and 5, when the load carrying tabs 28 are received in a respective opening 18, the tabs support the beams on the end wall 20 of the respective openings 18.

A bead 30 of substantially V-shaped in cross section is formed in the upper edgeof the load carrying tabs 28 to provide additional stiffness to the tab. Each of the tabs 28 is also formed with an outwardly extending lip 32 to make it easier to insert the tabs intothe slots 18.

When the load carrying tabs 28 are received in the slots 18 as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, for example, a projection 34 on the front face of the beam 6 engages an edge 36 of the supporting wall 12 of the post. The projection 34 extends from the front face of the beam a distance greater than the load carrying tabs 28 to provide a spacer to protect the tabs during shipment and storage of the beams prior to assembly of the storage rack. The projection 34 is struck from and is'integral with the material of the web 23. As shown in the drawings, the projection 34 includes a base portion 38 spaced from and substantially parallel to the web 23,

and is connected with the web 23 by leg portions 40. The engagement of the two load carrying tabs 28 with the end wall 20 of the slots 18, together with the engagement of the projection 34 with the edge 36 provides a stable, rectangular path for the forces exerted on the post by the beams 6. The engagement of the projection 34 with the edge 36 of the supporting wall 12 provides increased resistance to bending of the beam '6 under load and also prevents displacement of the beam 6 with respect to the post 10 in a horizontal direction, that is, in a direction parallel to the beam 6 as shown in the drawings.

An anti-lift tab 42 is formed on the beam for engagementwith the post to prevent disengagement of the load carrying tabs 28 from the slots 18; The anti-lift tab is struck from the material of the web 23 and is disposed in the plane of the web 23 prior to assembly. When the load carrying tabs 28 are inserted into the slots 18, the tab 42 is bent by a screw driver or similar tool to project through the lower slot 18 as shown in FIG. 4 so that the beam 6 cannot be vertically displaced with respect to the post 10.

As shown most clearly in FIG. 6, the edge 36 of the supporting wall 12 is defined by a flange projecting rearwardly from the front wall 14.

The supporting wall 12 of the post has a channel portion formed thereon such that the front face has a recessed portion 44, and the slots 18 are formed in the recessed portion of the front face. The anti-lift tabs 42, when bent to project through an opening 18, do not therefore project beyond the front face 14 because of the recessed portion of the slots 18 with respect to the front face 14. Moreover, the recessed portion of the front face 14, together with the edge portion 36, engages the front face 24 of the beam 6 to further provide stability to the connection between the two members.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the beam 6 includes upper and lower, rearwardly projecting flanges 46 and 48, respectively. The upper flange is spaced below the upper edge 50 (see FIG. of the web to define a stop flange 52 for engaging the edge of the decking 4 so that the decking 4 cannot slide off of the beams 6 and is, in effect, received in a recess and supported on the upper flanges 46. I

As shown in FIG. 2, the end of the flanges 46 and 48 are mitered at 54 so that the flanges of the beams extending at right angles to each other do not interfere with each other.

The beams 6 can be removed from the posts simply by bending the anti-lift tab 42 with a screw driver out of engagement with its slot 18. The beams can then be removed simply by lifting the tabs 28 out of the slots 18.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the load carrying tabs 28 are seated fully in the respective slots 18, they have a force fit relationship with the side walls 22 at the lower ends of the slots. Consequently a sharp blow from a mallet or the like may be required to engage and disengage the tabs 28 with the slots. Furthermore, some interference is also preferably designed into the assembly such that there is a force fit relationship between projection 34 and edge 36 as well as between the tab 28 and the side wall 22 of the slot 18 nearest edge 36 to provide a rigid connection when the parts are assembled together.

While a specific form of the invention has been described in the foregoing specification and is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the invention is not limited to the exact construction shown. Modifications in the construction and arrangement of parts, all falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A storage rack assembly comprising: a post of sheet metal or the like having at least one supporting wall with a front face and a back face; a plurality of slots in said supporting wall spaced from each other along the length of said post; a one-piece beam of sheet metal or the like having a web portion with a front face; a pair of integralload carrying tabs struck from the web of the beam and projecting from the front face of said beam and spaced from each other in a direction transverse to the length of said beam, each of said load carrying tabs being received in one of the slots in said post such that said beam extends transversely of said post; and an integral projection on the front face of said beam engaging an edge of the supporting wall of said post, said projection extending from said front face of said beam a distance greater than said load carrying tabs, said projection being struck from the material of said beam, and further including antiJift means formed integrally on said beam engageable with said post to prevent disengagement of said load carrying tabs from said slots.

2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said anti-lift means comprises an anti-lift tab struck from the web of said beam, said anti-lift tab being disposed in the plane ofthe web portion of said beam prior to assembly and being bendable to project through one of said slots.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the supporting wall of said post has a channel portion formed thereon such that said front face has a recessed portion, said slots being formed in the recessed portion of said front face.

4. An assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein the edge of said supporting wall engaged by said projection is defined by a flange projecting rearwardly from said front wall.

5. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said beam includes upper and lower flanges projecting said web on the opposite side thereof from the front face of said front face. 

1. A storage rack assembly comprising: a post of sheet metal or the like having at least one supporting wall with a front face and a back face; a plurality of slots in said supporting wall spaced from each other along the length of said post; a one-piece beam of sheet metal or the like having a web portion with a front face; a pair of integral load carrying tabs struck from the web of the beam and projecting from the front face of said beam and spaced from each other in a direction transverse to the length of said beam, each of said load carrying tabs being received in one of the slots in said post such that said beam extends transversely of said post; and an integral projection on the front face of said beam engaging an edge of the supporting wall of said post, said projection extending from said front face of said beam a distance greater than said load carrying tabs, said projection being struck from the material of said beam, and further including anti-lift means formed integrally on said beam engageable with said post to prevent disengagement of said load carrying tabs from said slots.
 2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 wheRein said anti-lift means comprises an anti-lift tab struck from the web of said beam, said anti-lift tab being disposed in the plane of the web portion of said beam prior to assembly and being bendable to project through one of said slots.
 3. An assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the supporting wall of said post has a channel portion formed thereon such that said front face has a recessed portion, said slots being formed in the recessed portion of said front face.
 4. An assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein the edge of said supporting wall engaged by said projection is defined by a flange projecting rearwardly from said front wall.
 5. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said beam includes upper and lower flanges projecting said web on the opposite side thereof from the front face thereof.
 6. An assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein said upper flange is spaced below the upper edge of said web to define a stop flange for engaging the edge of decking adapted to be supported on said beam.
 7. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the supporting wall of said post has a channel portion formed thereon such that said front face has a recessed portion, said slots being formed in the recessed portion of said front face. 